Pipe joint connection



June 29, 1948. E, J, sl-"MEK 2,444,380

PIPE JOINT.. CONNEGTICN original Filed May 14, 1940 4 sheets-sheet 1EDSHMEK z lflf?. Z3 3- @255% A TTORN E YS.

*Jun r3 CMM;

' June 29, 1948. E, ,sHlMEK 2,444,380

PIPE JOINT CONNECTION Originall Filed May 14, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2EJTSHHLIEK [WN OR. BY Nom-m 13C/MMP?.

ATTORNEYS.

June 29,1948. E@ SHIMEK 2,444,380

PIPE JOINT CONNECTION Original Filed May 14, 1940 l N 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 vE LJ EBSHMEK A TTORNEYS.

N BY qan Ciwy.

June 29, 4948, E, J, SHIMEK 2,444,380

PIPE JOINT CONNECTION Orginal Filed May 14, 1940 4 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Elf.SHIMEK.

` BY Jian f @MP1 ATTORNEYS.

Patented June 2.9,

2,444,3so Pira Jom'rvcoNNEc'rIoN Edwin J. Slilmek, Dallas, Tex.,assignor of onehalf to Herbert Allen, Houston, Tex.

Original application May 14, 1940, Serial No.

1943, Serial No. 493,540

provide. a pipe or rod joint connection wherein inclined grippingmembers are adapted to be tilted or canted in order to effect a.gripping action upon the pipe.

Anotherobject of the invention is to provide a pipe joint whereinrelatively movable members are arranged to effect a gripping of the pipeas the joint is afllxed in position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a 8 Claims. (Cl. 285-132)joint wherein plain end pipe may be inserted into the connection and theconnection may be manipulated to effect gripping so that the pipe i cannot be removed and at the same time a seal will be provided.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a set or series offrusto-conical plates or members which are adapted to be canted toward ailattened position in'order to set up a wedging action between thesupport for the members and the periphery of the pipe or rod beinggripped.

Still another object of the invention is to provide the 'combination ofsets of gripping rings,V

sealing rings and spacer rings so as to grip and seal a pair of plainrod or pipe ends.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a pipe grippingassembly wherein a tapered recess serves to increase the sealing actionas the joint is tightened.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination gripping andsealing ring for pipe joints wherein inclined discs will be canted toeiiect the gripping action.

Still another object ofthe invention is to Drovide a pipe joint whereindished grip rings will be canted by the provision of a deformable spacerring. f

This application is a division of my .prior kcopending application,Serial No. 335,098, filed May 14, 1940, now abandoned, for a Pipe or rodjoint connection or seal.

Other and further objects of the invention will be readily apparent whenthe following description is considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l isa transverse sectional view of a pair ot pipe ends which are tobe connected and sealed and illustrating the assembly of the Parts priorto tightening' of the connection to grip the pipe.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing due to the grippingaction of the connection.

Divided and this application July 5,

Fig. 3I is a section taken on the line l-l o! j Fig. 1 and illustratingone of theV grip rings in end elevation. 1

Fig. 4 is'a sectional view of the sealing or packing gasket or ring.

Fig. 5 is a section of one of the griprinls.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view oi the grip rings made up in the form oi acoil.

Fig. 7 shows a slightly modiiled form of the invention oi Fig. 1 whereinthe recess receiving the packing gasket is tapered so that additionalsealing will be eiected as the packing gasket is forced into the recess.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but illustrating a combination gripring and sealing gasket made up as a unit.

Fig. 9 is a section of the combination grip ring and seal.

Fig. 10 is an end view of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a transverse section similar to Fig. 1 illustrating acombination grip ring wherein the inner and outer rings may be in thei'orm of an annular ring, whereas the intermediate rings will be made upof a plurality of segments confined by the end rings.

1Fig. 12 shows a set oi' the segments `used in Fig. 1

Fig. 13 shws one of the end rings used in Fig.

' ig. 14 is a sectional view wherein an all metal joint is provided witha deiormable'ring used as both a seal and a spacer. a

Fig. 15 shows the construction of Fig. 14 in gripping position.

Fig. 16 is a section of a solid annular grip ring.

In Fig. 1 the connection is shown as it is positioned on the pipe priorto being tightened `and throughout the drawings wherein pipe endshavebeen illustrated it is to be understood that it is illustrative of therods or other members which are to be connected.

The pipe ends to be connected are illustrated at 2 and 3 and may bethreaded or of any type, but are preferably plain ends so that the costof threading, Hanging or otherwise forming the pipe for connection canbe omitted. In other words. a pipev or rod may be cut on at any pointand merely inserted in the connection and a seal made without cost ordelay of preparing it for 8. These housings are preferably ofconilguration shown in Fig. 3 wherein the ears 9 are arranged to receivethe bolts III. A nut II on the bolt tends to draw the two housingstogether because of the fact that the bolt passes through the openingsl2 in the'housings. These housings have an opening I4 therein which isof a size to receive the pipe end rather loosely therein. A

recess Il is provided in each of the housings 1 and l. This recess isannular in its configuration, as seen in Fig. 3, and is arranged toreceive a series of gripping rings Il. These rings are frusto-conical inshape, as best seen in Fig. 5, and are preferably of a suitable metalwhich will withstand a thrustalong the inclined length or width of thering.

The rings are dished and may have the slots 20 therein to allow for thecollapsing movement. Particular attention is directed to the fact thatthe width 2l of these rings is intended to be greater than the distancefrom the inner periphery 22 of the recess to the outer periphery 23 ofthe pipe end so that the rings will be dropped into the recesses I8 andwill take the position of Fig.- 1. It seems obvious that if the inneredge 25 of each of these rings is held more or less stationary and inabutting relationship with the periphery 23 of the pipe, that if theouter edge 26 is moved toward the end of the pipe there will be atendency to cant the ring or to flatten it out. Inasmuch as the housings1 and B are of very sturdy construction the base 26 of the ring can notmove outwardly and a reduction in the size of the central openingthrough the ring will occur. This causes the ring to ilatten out andassume the position of Fig; 2, forcing the inner edge 25 of the ringagainst the periphery of the pipe and it is intended that where a seriesof rings are used they will be of sufilcient strength to collapse thepipe, if necessary-in forming a seal, as indicated by the bulge 30 inthe pipe of` Fig. 2.

'I'his canting or tilting action of the ring is created by a tremendousleverage due to the provision of the bolts i to draw the two housingstogether. In order to hold the limer edges 26 of the rings against theperiphery of the pipe and to also form a seal a packing or sealing ringor gasket 32 is deposited on top of the set of rings as seen in Fig. 1.'I'his ring is shown in section in Fig. 4 and may be of any suitablerubber, packing, or sealing composition.

Each edge 33 of the ring is beveled to iit the inclination of the innergripping ring and the opposite edge is fiat at 34 to receive a spacerring 35. This spacer ring is preferably of rigid material andof lessthickness than either the gripping or the packing rings So that it willabut only the packing rings. With this construction the spacer andpacking rings hold the grip rings in position as the bolts are tightenedand the compression on the packing ring will cause it to seal along theperiphery of the pipe, against the kgripping rings and along the innerperiphery 22 of the recess I6. In this manner a complete seal isprovided about each pipe end andthe sealing V'action in each of the twopipe ends will be identical because the two packings.

` As the assembly is drawn up by tightening the nuts I I on the boltsIll, as seen in Fig. 2, the inner spacer ring is `floating onthe edge ofthe grip ring will be held stationary while gripping and sealingconnection because the pipe y as having been deformed due to the actionin ends need only to be inserted into the assembly and the boltstightened. or one-half of the assembly passed over the edge of the pipeends, and the spacer ring positioned as the pipe ends are broughtadjacent to each other. The bolts can then be inserted and tightened upand in this manner both the gripping and the sealing connection is made.In event of leakage it is only necessary to tighten the bolts slightlyso as to increase the sealing action and in this manner leakage can beentirely prevented with the connection. i Y

Fig. 6 shows a. slightly modified arrangement of the gripping ringswherein the individual rings are made in the form of a' coil 26, therings of which will be dished the same as the rings Il and these ringsmay or may not have the slots 2B therein. It is intended that anydesired number of independent rings I8, as in Fig. 5, or rings of the"coil 36, as seen in Fig. 6. may be provided,.

depending upon the tension which is to be applied to the pipe ends andthe amount of movement orsealing and gripping action which is desired.Figs. 8, 9 and l0 show a. construction which is identical with Fig. 1except for the gripping and packing rings. In Fig. 9 a combinationgripping and packing ring 40 has been provided in that a set of rings I8have been provided with openings 4| therein, as seen in Fig. 10, and therubber or other resilient composition 42 has been molded, vulcanized orformed with the gripping rings IB therein. This construction is ofadvantage because it fills the recess I6 completely and the openings 4iallow for equalizing of the pressure on the seal ring on opposite sidesof the grip rings. so that as the grip rings tilt to gripping positionthere can be a ilow of the resilient material through the openings 4I toequalize the pressure. This will result in a seal at the base of therecess as' well as along the pipe and against the spacer ring.

.'Figs. 1l, 12 and 13 show another modication of the gripping ringswherein the outer ring del is' an annular ring, as seen in Fig. 13. andpreferably has a, single opening 45 therein, so that it will i'ltsnuglywithin the recess in the housing. Disposed inside of the unitary ring 44will be a series of segments 46, best seen in Fig. 12, and then an innerring 41 similar to 44 will be placed on top of the series of segments.This top ring 41 will in turn be held in position by a spring snap ring48 arranged to seat in a groove 49 in the recess I 5. The periphery 50of the recess is reduced somewhat to receive the sealing ring 32 and thespacer ring 35 is provided as in the previdus forms. The advantage ofthe segments 4@ is that they may tilt independently and anymisalignmentof the pipe ends will be absorbed by the tilting movement ofthe independent segments. These segments can tilt around the inner edgethereof as the housings collapse and will insure a uniform grippingaction entirely around the pipe.

Figs. 14, 15 and 16 show another modification wherein the parts are thesame as in Fig. 1, except that the seal ring 32 and the spacer ring 35have been combined in a unitary ring 52, which is preferably of metaland constructed so as to be deformed slightly when the connection istightened. Fig. 15 shows the edges 53 of the ring 52 l collapsing thegripping ring and the periphery at 54 has been forced inwardly. betweenthe hous-` ings. particularly shows the pipe ends as misaligned and aring of this sort is particularly adapted for connections Where theremay be a misalignment. It is intended that this, deformable ring 52 canflow under pressure to create a seal with the housings, the pipe, andtherings, as best seen in Fig. 15. Solid rings 55 are preferably usedwith the deformable ring 52, so that there will be no escape for thedeformable material into the ring.

While several forms of the invention have been illustrated it is to beunderstood that broadly the invention contemplates a combinationgripping and sealing assembly wherein a housing is applied to the pipeends and the rings moved into gripping action while confining a sealingmaterial. The word housing is intended to broadly include the unit madeup of one or more portions whereby the gripping and packing members areconned.

What is claimed is:

1. A pipe or rod joint and coupling includin a pair of plain pipe endsto be connected, a housing to receive each end, a plurality of dishedgripping rings having a. periphery engaging in each housing and facingtoward the pipe end, a sealing gasket abutting each set of said rings, aspacer member between the two gaskets, and means to draw the twohousings together so that the gaskets and housings will tilt thegripping rings in said housing and force them into engagement with thepipe to clamp the pipe end against withdrawal.

2. A pipe or rod joint and coupling connection including a pair of plainpipe ends to be connected, an annular housing portion slipped over eachend, an annular recess in each housing facing toward the pipe end, aplurality of annular dished gripping rings disposed in the base of eachrecess with the dished surface facing the base of the recess, an annularsealing gasket'disposed in the recess in each housing, an annular dishedface thereon to abut the outermost dished ring, a spacer membercomprising a ring which is rece tangular in section disposed between thetwo gaskets and abutting the outer faces thereon and spaced radially ofthe joint between the pipe ends, and means to draw said housings towardeach other so that each housing is forced against the outer dished edgeof the rings so as to force the inner edge against the gaskets which areheld in position by said spacer so that the pressure tends to atten saidrings to grip the pipe.l

3. A pipe or rod joint and coupling including a pair of pipe ends to beconnected, a housing to receive each end, a plurality of dished grippingrings in each housing facing toward the pipe end, a sealing gasketabutting each set of said rings. a spacer member between the twogaskets, and means to draw the two housings together so that the gasketswill tilt the gripping rings in said housingand force them intoengagement with the pipe to clamp the pipe end against withdrawal andsimultaneously therewith compress said sealing gaskets to create andmaintain a seal with the pipe and spacer to prevent leakage.

4. A pipe joint including a pair of pipe ends, an annular housingslipped onto each pipe end, and having a recess in each, a plurality ofinclined annular rings disposed in each of the housing recesses, asealing gasket abutting the rings, and a circular spacer block disposedbetween the two gaskets and spanning the space between the pipe ends.and means to effect relative movement of the two housings toward eachother whilethe pipe ends remain stationary so as to tilt said rings tocompress said gaskets against said spacer and to cause said rings togrip the pipe ends.

5. A pipe joint including a pair of pipe ends, an annular housingslipped onto each pipe end, and having a recess in each, a pluralityofinclined annular rings disposed in each of the housing recesses,asealing gasket abutting the rings, and a spacer block disposed betweenthe two gaske ts and spanning the space between the pipe ends, and meansto effect relative movement of the two housings toward each other whilethe pipe ends remain stationary so as to tilt said rings to compresssaid gaskets against said spacer and to cause said rings to grip thepipe ends,` said gasket and'rings for each housing being molded togetheras an integral unit of rubber and metal with the metal exposed radiallyon the inside and outside of the rubber.

6. A pipe joint including a pair of pipe ends,

an annular housing slipped onto each 'pipe end,

and having a recess in each, a plurality of inclined annular ringsdisposed in each of the housing recesses, a sealing gasket abutting therings, and a spacer block disposed between the two gaskets and spanningthe space between the pipe ends, and means to effect relative movementof the two housings toward each other while the pipe ends remainstationary so as to tilt said rings to compress said gaskets againstsaid spacer and to cause said rings to grip the pipe ends, said housingrecesses being tapered to effect a compressive action on the rubber asthe housing moves thereover.

7. A pipe joint including a pair of pipe ends. an annular housingslipped onto each pipe end, and having a recess in each, a plurality ofinclined annular rings disposed in each of the housing recesses, asealing gasket abutting the rings, and .a spacer block disposed betweenthe two gaskets and spanning the space between the pipe ends, means toeffect relative movement of the two housings toward each other while thepipe ends remain stationary so as to tilt said rings to compress saidgaskets against said spacer and to cause said rings to grip the pipeends, and a sealing packing ring disposed between adjacent grip rings.

8. A pipe joint including a pair of plain pipe ends, an annular recessedhousing slipped onto each pipe end, a plurality of dished gripping ringsin each recess, and a. spacer ring of deformable metal disposed betweenthe rings of the two housings and bearing against the outer surface ofthe rings inwardly of the periphery thereof,- and means to pull saidhousings. together to tend to atten said rings against said spacer so asto force the rings to grip the vpipe ends. and to deform the spacer intoengagement with each of the housings and the pipe ends.`

EDWIN J. SHIMEK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references areof record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES .PATENTS Number Name ,Date

1,440,207 Burns Dec. 26, 1922 1,813,529 Clark July '1, 1931 2,230,725VNathan Feb. 4, 1941 2,341,164 Shimek Feb. 8, 1944

